Over 200 children released by armed groups in S. Sudan – UNICEF
The United Nations International Children’s Fund (UNICEF) announced Tuesday that over 200 children have been released by armed groups in Southern Sudan.
The latest development is the second in a series of rescue mission supported by UNICEF that is aimed at securing the release of almost 1000 children who are currently under the hands of armed groups in the coming months.
According to the organization, about 300 children were released to join their families or to UNICEF supported care centers in early February in Yimbo Town. The latest release of 207 children took place in a rural community called Bakiwiri, close to Yimbo in the Western Equatorial State.
“No child should ever have to pick up a weapon and fight. Every child released, today marks the start of a new life. UNICEF is proud to support these children as they return to their families and start to build a brighter future,” said Mahimbo Mdoe, UNICEF’s Representative in South Sudan.
During the ceremony, the children were formally disarmed and provided with civilian clothes. Medical screenings will now be carried out, and children will receive counselling and psychosocial support as part of the reintegration programme, which is implemented by UNICEF and partners.
The Unicef official observed that being unable to support themselves economically can be a key factor in children becoming associated with armed groups.
He added that in addition to services related to livelihoods, UNICEF and partners will ensure the released children have access to age-specific education services in schools and accelerated learning centres.
“UNICEF, UNMISS and government partners have negotiated tirelessly with parties to the conflict so as to enable the release of these children” said Mr. Mdoe. “But the work does not stop here. The reintegration process is a delicate one and we must now ensure the children have all the support they need to make a success of their lives.”
PEACE AGREEMENT
The 207 children released (112 boys, 95 girls), were from the ranks of the South Sudan National Liberation Movement (SSNLM) – which in 2016 signed a peace agreement with the Government and is now integrating its ranks into the national army – and from the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-In Opposition (SPLA-IO).
An upsurge of fighting in July 2016 stalled the original plans to release children, but momentum is now building for further releases in the future.
Despite this progress, there are still around 19,000 children serving in the ranks of armed forces and groups in South Sudan. So long as the recruitment and use of children by armed groups continues, these groups fail on their commitment to uphold the rights of children under international law.
As peace talks resume and the future of the transitional government is debated, UNICEF urges all parties to the conflict to end the recruitment of children and to release all children in their ranks.
Adequate funding for UNICEF’s release programme is also essential. UNICEF South Sudan requires US$45 million to support release, demobilization and reintegration of 19,000 children over the next three years.